The air quality alert for the Northern Willamette Valley and Southwest Washington has been extended to Friday.
The Southwest Clean Air Agency and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality have issued an Air Quality Advisory, which remains in effect until noon Friday.
Smoke will remain in the region, and will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels at times through Friday morning. Conditions will gradually improve later today, with more improvement Thursday andThursday night. However, hazy skies will remain.
Wildfires burning across parts of Washington have been creating abundant smoke. Low level smoke that drifted into western Oregon along the Columbia River earlier this week still remains over the region. But, this smoke is gradually thinning today through Thursday, with conditions slowly improving. In addition, smoke continues to filter into the region from the north, affecting areas along the Cowlitz River Valley.
Pollutants in smoke may cause burning eyes, runny nose, and can aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky.
More information about air quality can be found online at:
Southwest Clear Air Agency at: www.swcleanair.org
Oregon Dept of Environmental Quality at: www.oregon.gov/DEQ